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Winfreda Donald

Past Imperfect

Synopsis

Past Imperfect is the first book in The Long Shadows series; a story of five generations through the twentieth century. World War II has left emotional scars in both the Dunbar and Marcou families who migrated to Australia from Scotland and Macedonia.
This novel: When family circumstances separate teenage Freya Dunbar from her soul mate Alexander Marcou, they make the best of being in different hemispheres. Unaware of the betrayal gathering under their radar, Freya becomes a nurse and midwife in Scotland. In Australia, Alexander trains as a teacher and pilot. As they plan for a future together their lives change in unexpected ways, leaving them grieving and bereft. But life goes on.

Author Biography

Winfreda turned to writing in retirement, after a long career in the helping professions followed by many years working in public sector environments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Australia. Fiction is her joy as a writer using the pen-name of Winfreda Donald. Her reading is wide-ranging with a preference for family-oriented stories, some adventure, historical fiction, biography and works around the lives of authors and the art and science of creativity.
Time with family and friends is treasured.

Author Insight

Sisters at odds

Freya's mother Claire and sister Ness are visiting Glasgow. Claire has expressed concern about Ness's behaviour to Freya, saying she has no influence with her any longer.
When the sisters take a late night walk, Freya realises that Ness's drug taking and promiscuity could later cause regrets. As the relationship between the sisters is an uneasy one, Freya doubts that Ness will take anything she can say seriously.

Book Excerpt

Past Imperfect

July 1983 – Royal Terrace: Nessie burst into Freya’s room, ‘Good, you’re not ready for sleep yet. Gramma’s gone to bed. Mama’s jet-lagged and out like a light, but I’m restless and I need to do something. Can we go for a walk? In the park?’

All Freya wanted was rest, but maybe this was an ideal opportunity to talk with Ness alone. She said, ‘Best to keep clear of the park, but we could go down past the Art Gallery, cross the road, walk up Argyle for a bit, then back along Sauchiehall Street if you like. You’ll need to wrap up.’

‘Alright, front door in five. I’ll leave a note for Mama in case she wakes up.’

As they left the house Ness asked, ‘How can you stand it here, Freya? It’s so dreary, and Gramma is a grouch, and you’ve got more serious than ever. Gramma seems to be able to manage. Why don’t you come home? It is such fun, lots of friends.’

‘I wish it was that simple, Ness. Gramma is a lot better but she is still uncertain and worries about another stroke. And you know she has no family other than us to care for her. Don’t you think I’d be back if I could? I haven’t seen Alexander for almost three years, and letters and phone calls are no substitute.’

‘Oh, him. He’s a serious grouch too. Gramma said he doesn’t write much anymore. You need some fun.’

‘What makes you call him a grouch? Doesn’t sound like Alexander to me.’

‘Oh, I shouldn’t have said anything.’ A streetlight showed her disagreeable pout.

‘Well, you have, so come on; out with it.’

Without hesitation Ness launched into her grievance. ‘It happened just after you came here when Alexander stayed with Douglas and some of Doug’s friends. They weren’t keen but they took me out to a beach party one night and Alexander stopped me smooching with one of Doug’s mates. He dragged me away. It was humiliating.’

With a sense of foreboding Freya realised that Claire might not be worrying needlessly as she’d hoped. This needed careful handling. ‘But Ness, you were only fourteen then. What were you doing with a twenty-odd year old? You should have been thanking Alexander.’